Newham police station fire: No date yet for reopening of road

Forest Gate Police Station on Romford Road, Newham, caught alight on 6 March

The area around a police station that burnt down in east London remains closed a month later.

Forest Gate Police Station on Romford Road, Newham, caught alight and some of the building and all of the roof was destroyed in the blaze on 6 March.

The Met's 999 response officers have been relocated and a mobile front counter has been set up at Stratford.

Newham Council and the police force said part of the road remained close due to a safety risk of falling debris.

Det Supt Charles Clare told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that part of Romford Road would remain closed so surveyors could assess the building.

Newham Council said the road could not reopen "until the structure is made safe - which requires demolition of the unstable parts of the building".

"The decision on when this work can commence lies with the Met Police, their insurers and the building contractors. Newham will continue to work to encourage a speedy solution," it said.

Deepesh Chotai, who runs Silver Point cash and carry on the Romford Road, said he has seen a 90% drop in customers since the road closure.

"The council hasn't informed us [how long the road closures will be in place], there's been no support for businesses," he told BBC London.

Deepesh Chotai said the store has been quieter than it was in lockdowns

"It's been massively quiet and something needs to be done because this is our livelihoods.

"We're still trying to survive, let alone make money and pay the bills during a cost of living crisis - we don't need this.

"It's been quieter than the lockdowns, coming out of the Covid era and into some kind of normality has been an uphill struggle for us."

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• Fire destroys roof of Forest Gate police station

At the time of the fire, about 175 firefighters and 30 engines attended the scene and some 60 people were evacuated from the building.

Nobody was injured in the blaze and an investigation has been opened into its cause.

Roads in the immediate area remain closed for safety reasons

The Met's 999 response team has been relocated to Plaistow Police Station.

Forest Gate forensics and specialist unit teams were relocated within Newham and Waltham Forest, the force said.

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